Products, such as biofuels, bioplastics, biopharmaceuticals, and other biomaterials, that are made from renewable biological resources and waste streams.
Published in Chapter:
An Interdisciplinary Model to Diversify STEM Participation: College, High School, and Industry Partnerships
Margaret R. Blanchard (North Carolina State University, USA), Richard A. Venditti (North Carolina State University, USA), Shana L. McAlexander (North Carolina State University, USA), Katherine R. McCance (North Carolina State University, USA), and Karen M. Collier (North Carolina State University, USA)
Copyright: © 2021
|Pages: 38
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-4966-7.ch007
Abstract
This chapter describes an interdisciplinary program between a College of Education and a College of Natural Resources and their partnerships with rural high schools, regional colleges, and bioeconomy industries. The overarching goal of the program was to provide engaging professional development and support for teachers and diverse undergraduate students to prepare and promote diverse students to consider STEM majors and careers related to bioproducts and bioenergy. A team of faculty and graduate students from a Forest Biomaterials department and a Science Education department developed online courses, workshops, and laboratory activities and internship placements for undergraduate students and high school science and CTE teachers. This chapter details the need for the program, its context, online course development, and laboratory activities. For each of the key partners in the program—the faculty and graduate students, the high school teachers, and the undergraduate students—key strategies, lessons learned, and recommendations are shared.